Sporting News

Busch had a run-in with driver Justin Allgaier in Saturday’s Nationwide Series race at Dover. After the race, Busch was asked by Pockrass if being on probation impacted the way he was able to race.

Busch responded by saying, “It refrains me from not beating the (expletive) out of you right now because you ask me stupid questions. But since I’m on probation, I suppose that’s improper to say as well.”

Busch was suspended by NASCAR on Monday for violating his probation and for verbally abusing a member of the media. He will miss this weekend’s Sprint Cup race at Pocono.

Stewart, who has had numerous run-ins with the media over the years, came to Busch’s defense on his weekly Sirius Satellite Radio show Tuesday night.

“It’s sad but true. And honestly, Kurt is right,” Stewart said.

Stewart criticized Pockrass and other reporters for focusing too much on controversial stories in NASCAR.

“Unfortunately, there’s too many of those guys out there,” Stewart said. “I’ll be honest, I liked (Kurt’s) answer.”

“I appreciate Tony acknowledging my work ethic,” Pockrass said Wednesday. “He indicated that I aggressively pursue people involved in controversies to get comment. That’s certainly something any journalist wouldn’t apologize for doing as that is the staple for fair and accurate reporting.”

Stewart has had countless run-ins with the media in his 14 years in NASCAR and is often one of NASCAR’s most contentious drivers with reporters.

In 2001, Stewart slapped a tape recorder out of a reporter’s hand following the July race at Daytona. A year later, he was placed on probation and fined $10,000 for striking a photographer at the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.